Sunny 9 for 2003 December

(4) Wed Dec 10 2003 16:00 We're moving.: We're moving. Aaron and I are finally moving to where the sun shines in the window. For the past year and a half we have been living in a basement apt. It has been sufficient for our needs, but it gets depressing going into our 'hole'-more ways than one. Now we have to figure out how we are going to move all our stuff during Aaron's finals and before we leave for Mesa, AZ for Christmas before Dec 23rd. The cool thing about this move is that this house is the one where I was brought home from the hospital. I'm going back to my roots. Also, Joe and Louise are going to be sharing the rent by living in the basement. We are only going to paying $15 more than we are right now in rent. How cool is that?

(1) Thu Dec 11 2003 20:09 Disappointment:: I am so sad. One of my best friends from high school is visiting San Antonio for a month. The thing is, is that she is from South Africa and came to Texas for 8 years and then her family moved back to South Africa after she graduated. Well I haven't seen her since we graduated together (4 1/2 yrs), and she is in San Antonio right now until Jan. 6th. My dilemma is that this year is Aaron's family year for Christmas, and we are going to be in Mesa, AZ. I tried to see if there were cheap tickets for after Chrstmas, but to no avail. I guess I have two options: 1) Plunge deeper into debt and use 'the plastic', or 2) Wait till I have $2,000 saved up to visit her in Cape Town, South Africa-by the time that happens I'll have kids, and can't travel anywhere exotic. Oh well, such is life of a starving student. Anyone want to lend me $300? hehe

(3) Mon Dec 15 2003 12:59 LOTR: I finally finished paintings all of my wooden ornaments for Christmas. Most of them turned out well. I used this crackle paint, that is supposed to make it look rustic, but I decided that it didn't work well with small objects, rather like I did a crummy job painting. It turned out really well and cute on the large wood wall hangings that I did though. Now I just have to finish sewing the 7 decorative pillows.

While painting I watched special features on the extended version DVD of Lord of the Rings. The Gollum segment was awesome. The commentary was fun too. I think I have watched everything on it now except the Weta workshop and Production team commentary while running the film. Those of you who like LOTR, you can be jealous while Aaron, Jake, and I watch it on opening night- Wed @ 7:30pm. We got tickets 3-4 weeks ago. I am so excited.

(2) Tue Dec 16 2003 14:25 For those who are interested: You can see the type of work I do with my company tomorrow morning by watching "The View" with Barbara Walters and the other ladies. It is a reunion show that I had help in putting together. For those of you who don't know, I screen people's stories who want to be reunited on TV, and help find the lost friends and family. It will be the segment with Troy Dunn. Check your local listings but I think it is ABC @ 10:00 am MST.

Thu Dec 18 2003 13:30 Worth the wait: So last night I went to see Lord of the Rings: Return of the King with Aaron and his brother Jake. WHOA, is all I can say. I am still letting it soak in. It is indescribable. Time passed really quickly too. I thought in the Two Towers the Helm's Deep thing dragged on, but the action scenes in this one were amazing. This is a must see. I especially liked the sequence with Eowyn- I think it was my favorite part.

We had Jake wait in line for us 2 hours before the start and then we got there one and a half hours before the start, and we still didn't get amazing seats. Oh well, the seats were all right, I guess.

On a different note, you might think I am apostate, but I have my visiting teachers coming tonight. This sounds bad, but sometimes it is more of a hassle to schedule it in, then it is rewarding. I hope after Aaron's final today I can bribe him to have the dished done before they come. I hope...

Fri Dec 19 2003 18:00: http://www.despair.com/achievement.html This is Hilarious

Fri Dec 19 2003 18:04 Sad but true: http://www.despair.com/discovery.html

There are a bunch of these funny "motivational" spoofs at www.despair.com

Mon Dec 22 2003 20:21 fear and loathing cleaning checks: Today we finally finished everything at the old apt. We are completely out and now our new house is a disaster. We spent 8 hours cleaning the old apt. It took forever and I am exhausted and sore now. It will be so nice to relax and to finally have a vacation. Aaron and I are leaving tomorrow morning (too early) for Mesa, AZ. It should be good times and great eatin'.

(1) Sat Dec 27 2003 18:13 I'll be needing that knitted sweater now, Alyson!: Aaron and I announced on Christmas that we are PREGNANT! I am about 6 weeks along. I kinda wanted to wait till we were further, but we couldn't pass up the great occasion with this news. I have been feeling tired and sometimes nauseous, but most of the time I feel like normal. Right now Aaron and I are still in Mesa with his family, and loving the holidays.

My mom's boyfriend Ben Taylor is so generous; he is flying Aaron and me to San Antonio for Jan 1st-4th. Thanks for the offer for the ride Frances, but now we are flying--yay! This was a Christmas gift for my mom from him to have all her kids there this year, but I believe that Aaron and I are getting the best deal from this Christmas gift. I am so excited to go home and see my nephews and everyone. I will definitely have to eat at Chacho's and Taco Cabana...mmmm. The fajitas are the best.